Tips to Protect Your Car From the Sun and Heat

You take excellent care of your car. You make sure to wash it regularly to avoid any dirt buildup, and you have a garage to protect it from snow, ice, salt and other ravages of winter. What you might not know is that summer can be just as hard on your car! It comes with harsh sunlight, high temperatures and hot asphalt, all of which can put a lot of strain on various parts of your car!

So, in this blog, we will have a look at some tips to protect your car from the sun and heat without a garage, even before summer hits!

How can heat and sun damage my car?

The rays of the sun can damage your vehicle in different ways. It can oxidize the paint and also dry and age the interiors, especially if they are made of leather. The heat of summer also affects your car, from your cooling system and fluids to the battery and air conditioning. Some of these problems are purely aesthetic, while others can impact your and your car’s safety, so it is important to check your car and take action before things get out of hand.

Tips to Protect Your Car From the Sun and Heat

Before summer:

Now, there are a few things you can do before summer hits, so you and your car are prepared.

Mechanical tune-up

Winter can be rough on your vehicle, so it is a good idea to get a mechanical tune-up done in a body shop of your choice. They can inspect your car in detail and take care of any issues that have come up, and get you ready for summer, such as the fluids or potentially cracked rubber parts.

Thorough detailing

Car detailing is far more than just a very efficient way to get your car’s looks updated and refreshed. It also can help you protect your car from the harmful rays of the sun and other damaging effects of summer! A thorough cleaning of the car and applying wax or other protective layers such as ceramic coating will protect your vehicle’s paint from all elements. This also goes for the interior of your car. If you have leather seats, you probably have wondered how to protect car leather from the sun. Interior detailing can help protect your leather interior by conditioning it.

During summer:

Now that your car is ready for summer, there also are some very helpful tips to keep your car in good shape throughout the hot season.

Check your tires

Air expands when it heats up, so when the air pressure increases in your tires, it increases the chance of the air escaping your tire. On the other hand, underinflated tires have a higher chance of blowing out, so it is critical to check your tire pressure at least once a month to make sure that it is at a good level. 

Also, check for weak spots, uneven wear or punctures, so you can take care of problems before they become a safety issue.

Inspect the Battery

Your car battery is not just at risk during winter. Summer also can have a negative impact on your battery as fluids can evaporate faster due to the heat, which can lead to corrosion of battery terminals and clamps. 

Also, the higher use of the air conditioning system puts a higher load on the battery, which can lead to a quicker wear-out. So it’s a good idea to check your battery regularly to avoid any problems down the road.

Check your fluids

While it is always recommended to check the fluids of your car regularly, it is especially important during summer to prevent overheating your engine. Heat will cause fluids to evaporate more quickly, so it is crucial to ensure that fluids are kept at good levels. The main three fluids to check are

• Coolant: For obvious reasons, this is the most important one to make sure your engine doesn’t overheat. Inspect the level and condition of coolant in the reservoir. If it’s cloudy or rusty, replace it. Otherwise, you’ll only need to top it off to the level shown.
• Motor oil: Lubrication is key for any engine and even more so during summer. Make sure to check the oil levels at least once a month and change your motor oil at the intervals given in your owner’s manual.
• Transmission fluid: It is dangerous to drive your car with low transmission fluid levels. If the level drops too low, use a small funnel in the dipstick tube and fill the reservoir back up. Be careful, though, to avoid spillage, so only add a little at a time.

Give your car a good wash & wax

Your car’s paint and windows are exposed to a lot of dirt, debris and dead bugs. If left unattended, all of these contaminants can react with the heat of the sun and release chemicals that can damage the paint and lead to cracks, chips and fading. So it is important to wash your car frequently and hand-dry it with microfibre cloths or trust professionals with a professional hand car wash to make sure to get the best possible result and protection.

If you want additional protection, consider getting your car waxed as well. It not only makes your car look bright and shiny but also adds an additional layer of protection against the elements. 

Protect your car paint

Now, if you want to have even better and longer-lasting protection, consider getting a ceramic coating. A ceramic glass coating is a layer of fibreglass nano-particles that creates a robust and fully transparent layer between your car’s coat and the environment itself. This will protect it against heat, UV rays and contaminants, as well as more acidic environmental factors such as bird droppings and acid rain, giving you the best of both worlds by protecting your car from sun and rain.

Try to avoid the sun when parking

It may seem like something that goes without saying, but the simplest and most efficient way how to protect your car in extreme heat is to try to park in the shade. Not only will it make the car far more comfortable because it will not feel like a sauna, but it also will protect both the exterior and interior from harmful UV rays. No matter, if it is the shade of a tree or building or an indoor parkade, it can make a huge difference, even if it might take a little more time to find or cost a little extra.

Install protective devices/Use car cover

If you can’t park in the shade, there are some other efficient ways how to protect your car from the sun in open parking. Consider investing in some easy-to-use and inexpensive protective devices to help keep surfaces protected. Dashboard covers, windshield protectors or seat covers can not only help to keep some of the heat out but also can protect plastic or leather from cracking and make both your steering wheel and seats a lot more comfortable.

Consider getting window tints

Another very efficient way of reducing both heat and UV rays entering your car are window tints. They can make the interior of your vehicle more comfortable, reduce the harmful effect of UV rays on plastic and leather surfaces and also, in turn, reduce the use of gas because you won’t have to use the A/C as much anymore.

Note: Check your local regulations to see the percentage of tinting that is allowed for your vehicle’s windows.

Conclusion

Following these quick and easy tips to protect your car from the sun and heat can make a huge difference and not only increase your comfort but also help protect your car and save you money. Auto Detailing Pro can help you keep your car protected with our professional hand car wash services, interior detailing and ceramic coating services.

We even offer mobile detailing services, which means that we will come right to your location to wash or clean your car! We also offer package deals and have time slots that will work with your schedule!

Do you have a specialty vehicle or multiple vehicles? Our team is experienced with detailing fleets of cars, electric cars and even boats. Electric cars, in particular, require special consideration and are best handled by an experienced detailer.

Contact Auto Detailing Pro today at (800) 716-5668 to find out how we can help you, or fill out our convenient online form!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I protect my car from UV damage?

Try to park in the shade to prevent exposure. Also, make sure to wash and dry your car regularly and consider waxing or ceramic coating for added protection.

How do I stop the sun from getting in my car window?

When parked, you can use reflective windshield covers. Also, consider getting window tints to prevent certain wavelengths from entering your car (make sure to check local regulations on which level of tinting is allowed).